Dhaka – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday ruled out the possibility of holding any dialogue with her arch political rival Khaleda Zia to ensure the latter’s participation in the next general election due before the end of next year.

“I don’t have the willingness to be harassed yet again. I don’t think I need to hold dialogue with those who lack decency,” the Prime Minister said referring to a telephone call she had with Khaleda ahead of 2014 election, boycotted by Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies.

Hasina was addressing a press conference at her official Ganabhaban residence on her recent visit to Cambodia. The Prime Minister faced a volley of questions from the participants on political matters, especially on the next general election to be held tentatively in October 2018.

“I’m sure BNP will refrain from repeating the mistake it did in 2014. They will join the election, and there is no need for any discussion,” the prime ministers told a questioner.

She said the election will be held as per other parliamentary democracies practice to ensure that the people could choose their representatives.

“I’m not going to pour butter in an improper saucepan … the election will not wait for the absentees (either),” she told the press conference adding that the political party would have to decide if it would contest the polls.

She also ruled out the possibility of an early election.

Hasina also responded to question on Rohingya crisis, corruption charges against Khaleda Zia, chief of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and her family.

Hasina highlighted the achievements of her three-day Cambodia visit and future plan of the government to strengthen Dhaka’s ties with Phnom Penh in different fields.